Brentwood winery sold to investors

BRENTWOOD -- A well-known Brentwood winery has been sold lock, stock and wine barrel, but the former owners say business will continue as usual.

Hannah Nicole Vineyards and Winery's co-founder announced this week that a Chinese corporation has bought its vineyards, wine production facility, tasting room and event center after making a "very compelling offer."

"We weren't actually trying to sell. Somebody came along and had a lot of resources," said Neal Cohn, who will remain involved in the company's day-to-day operations. "Sometimes the timing's right."

JINTA Vineyards & Winery, a fledgling privately held company that invests in wineries, approached Hannah Nicole in December with its offer. The sale became final this week.

Hannah Nicole Vineyards, the only winery in East Contra Costa, cultivates about 55 acres of grapes, Cohn said. The business grows 10 varieties and makes around 15 different red and white wines.

The label can be found not only in stores and restaurants around the Bay Area but in states from Iowa and Indiana to Georgia and Delaware. But with the kind of capital that JINTA can provide, Hannah Nicole wines now will be even more widely distributed, Cohn said.

The company plans to expand the winery's reach around the United States and abroad, he said, noting that consumers already can buy bottles of Hannah Nicole in Hong Kong and Shanghai.

"They don't intend to purchase it and turn around and sell it in two years," Cohn said.

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Whereas Hannah Nicole currently makes approximately 10,000 cases of wine annually, he said JINTA will be producing multiple times that volume.

Cohn, who still works as an insurance broker, began the business with his wife Glenda in 2001, making wine on the weekends in their garage.

Hannah Nicole has gone on to win numerous awards for its Zinfandels, sauvignon blanc, merlots and other varietals.